A Robertson County substitute teacher is being called a hero after she recently saved a child’s life at school.

It was just before lunchtime at East Robertson Elementary School on Aug. 29, and substitute Jackie Jensen was at the board working on a math problem and with her back to a class full of first-graders. As she tells it, one of her young charges was ready to eat, with high hopes for an ice cream bar and change in hand.

Jackie Jensen has been working for the Robertson County School District for about four years.

Jackie Jensen has been working for the Robertson County School District for about four years.

Submitted

“I heard some coughing and turned to see who it was,” recalls Jensen, 54, of Cross Plains. The mother of four has been working for the district for about four years, three of them at East, where her youngest son attends school.

At first, Jensen said she thought the cough sounded normal, so she continued with her lesson. A few seconds later, everything changed.

The same student who was so looking forward to an ice cream was in obvious distress, Jensen said, noting that the child’s hands were up, on the throat.

Robertson County Schools Supervisor of Student Services Bob Pruitt would later tell school board members that the child had “very quietly, very surreptitiously (placed) a quarter on their tongue and (swallowed) it.”

‘Panic descends’

As a first step, Jensen said she asked the child if something was in the child’s throat and received a nod. She and Pruitt did not reveal the student’s gender or name for privacy reasons.

Pruitt would later say panic descended on Jensen’s classroom at that point, once she realized the student was choking, but he praised her quick thinking.

“In this circumstance, it is not really an exaggeration to say that this substitute saved one of our kid’s lives,” he told board members during their regular meeting last week.

Several years ago, Jensen learned CPR and first aid, and although she admits the situation was “scary,” at that time, her training kicked in.

“I immediately picked the child up and proceeded to do the Heimlich maneuver,” she said, adding that she continued to do the Heimlich as she made her way, student in arms, to her classroom’s call button to page the office for help.

“I also sent another student to the nearest classroom to get help from another teacher,” Jensen said.

Struggle for breath

Having called for help at this point, Jensen said she tried to get to the hallway, still holding the child.

“Just as we got to the door, and about five seconds before the school nurse arrived, along with office personnel, the student expelled the quarter,” she said.

Pruitt, in his explanation to the board, said everything was fine afterward.

Looking back this week, Jensen said she was thankful she was able to respond quickly and without panicking.

“I really want to say that it was God who gave me what I needed, when I needed it,” she said. “I also want to say that although I have appreciated the many kind comments to me, I am immensely aware that there are people that are in this world helping others every single day.

“This is just one thing, and … I am mindful of the many who sacrifice their lives while saving others.”

Jensen was unable to attend last week’s board meeting, where she was honored with a certificate and recognition.

During that meeting, school board Chairman Jeff White said he hoped she would come to a future meeting so that members could meet her.